reckless driving lawyer Midlothian
A reckless driving charge from Midlothian begins with a number on a summons and ends with a criminal record if it is not addressed. The speed reading came from a device that requires calibration and an operator who was trained on it, and both are open to examination. The matter proceeds in Chesterfield County General District Court. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles these cases. Call (888) 437-7747.
What This Charge Carries
The maximum speed limits the relative threshold measures against are set by Va. Code 46.2-870: 70 miles per hour on designated interstate highways, 65 on other interstates and designated arterial highways, 55 where not specifically designated, 35 in business or residence districts, and 25 in school crossing zones during school hours. Which limit applied where the stop occurred is sometimes itself contested.
Which Court Hears the Case
The case is heard at Chesterfield County General District Court, 9500 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832, serving Chesterfield County. That court hears the matter without a jury. A defendant convicted there has an appeal of right to the circuit court for a new trial, and a jury may be requested at that stage. The two-tier structure means the decision whether to resolve the matter below or note an appeal is a strategic one worth making deliberately.
What to Do Before Your Court Date
Obtain your driving record so you know what the court will see. Where a speed reading is disputed, a speedometer calibration has to be obtained promptly and from a source the court will accept. Completing a driver improvement course before the hearing carries more weight than offering to complete one afterwards. Do not miss the date: a misdemeanor summons is not prepayable, and a failure to appear creates a second problem on top of the first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What speed makes it reckless driving?
Under Va. Code 46.2-862, 20 miles per hour or more above the applicable limit, or more than 85 miles per hour regardless of the posted limit. The absolute threshold was raised from 80 to 85 by the 2020 amendment.
I am an out-of-state driver. Do I have to come back?
Appearance is generally expected because the offense is a misdemeanor. Whether counsel can appear instead depends on the specific charge and the practice of the court, and it should be confirmed before the date.
How long does it stay on my record?
A conviction under Va. Code 46.2-862 carries six demerit points and remains on the Virginia driving record for eleven years. The criminal conviction is separate and does not simply age off a background check.
About Mr. Sris
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced since 1997 and is a former prosecutor. He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His background at George Mason University in accounting and information systems applies to the technical side of a speed case. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys handle Virginia matters together.
Related pages
- Reckless driving by speed in Virginia
- Virginia reckless driving penalties
- Defending a Virginia reckless driving charge
- Virginia reckless driving offenses
Speak With Mr. Sris
Request a consultation. Reach our location at (888) 437-7747. Bring the summons, your court date, and your driving record. Tell us if you are an out-of-state driver.
Last updated: August 25, 2026
This page provides general information about Virginia traffic and criminal law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., principal office: 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032. By appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.